The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-12-28
Board Meeting at Ryegate.

Agriculture dJ hycSdle was Woi az
tended and quite interesting. Profess
sors Cooke and Deering and Mr.. Smith
gave the same papers which we have
before reported, but the discussions
and local speeches were spirited and
betokened the interest and intelligence
of the audience.
The meeting the last evening, held at
Ryegate Corners, was given up to the
ladies of the Ryegate Farmers Club,
and right well did they conduct it.
Mrs. Alexander Cochrane presided
with dignity and grace, and after few
well-chosen remarks prayer was offered
by Rev. Mr.. Sproud. The meeting was
held in the church and magnificent
Gala lilies hanked the platform on
either SIDE The first exercise was a
greeting song by the glee club, which
was excellently rendered, after which
Mrs. Cochrane announced the subject
of the evening, "Home and Farm
Life" This is subject in which we
are all interested. To the farmer we
are indebted for living. Adam, the
first farmer, came direct from Gods
hand, and he saw that it was not good
for man to be alone; and it has never
been good for man to be alone since
then. Mrs. William Bone read the first
paper, which we this week give entire.
The next was recitation by Miss Fan
ME Gibson, which was followed by
song by the glee club, " Make Home
Beautiful" A paper by Mrs. Jean
Wiley was announced, but she was not
present. Professor Deering was called
upon and responded in few pertinent,
well-chosen words. Some one has said
that the three sweetest words in our
language are " mother" " home and
heaven" There is great necessity
that we make more of our home life.
There are certain things which go to
make up the best in every mans life,
and the first is a good home. Presi-
dent McCosh, once travelling through
Vermont, said he was impressed with
one thought all the way along" What
wonderful place for raising men and
women" Gladstone says there is no
place in the world so favorable for de-
velopment as the United States, and
we live in the most favored portion of
the United States. The glee club then
sang "God Made all Nature Free"
Next came recitation by Mr.. Charles
Glover-"The Irish Philosopher" This
was a humorous selection, was well
rendered and secured an encore. This
was followed by " The Farmers Song
Illustrated "-the first showing the use
of the hoe; the next, the farmers wife
mending; the third, saving wood; the
next, the dairy-maid churning, one man
raking, girl making pumpkin pies and
couple winding yarn. This was an
excellent selection, good in sentiment
and effectively given. Mrs. j. B. Mel
son then read paper on " Farmers
Amusements," which, we regret to say,
we were unable to secure. Mr.. George
Cochrane was the next speaker. He
contrasted the present condition of the
markets with those of forty years ago.
Then lamb would bring S1.25, which
was equal to four yards of print or five
yards of cotton cloth. Now lamb is
worth five cents per pound, and if it
weighs hundred pounds will bring So,
which will buy seventy yards of print
or fifty yards of cotton cloth. What,
then, are we growing about? Is all
the fault to be laid to the farm, or are
we ourselves in part to blame? Then
came a Scotch song by Mr. and Mrs. j.
B. Nelson, which was very funny and
got an encore, Mr. and Mrs. Nelson re-
spending with a duet. Next were
some remarks by Mr. Tinkham and a
song was demanded and given. Judge
NJ r. Gray read selection from George
McDonald's " Robert Falconer," the
prayer of Roberts grandmother, which
was followed by " A Little Farm Well
Titled " by a male quartette. M. w.
Davis then made some remarks, happy
in their conception and expression.
The exercises closed with the song
"Good Night"
The general tone of the meeting was
for more of amusement and sociability
In the farmers life, and the evenings
entertainment combined instruction
and amusement in pleasant proportions.
We should have more such meetings
more of freedom from undue social re-
straint; more of willingness of each
one to try to do his or her part, not
expecting to equal star actors or pro-
fessiona singers or readers; more OF
the old-fashioned social visits of forty
years ago. We believe the Ryegate
folks have all these, which in part ac-
counts for the interest shown in this
meeting.
MRS. BONES PAPER.
Mrs President, Gentlemen and La
dieS:-In trying to decide upon sub
Oh g., Al 10